Our research

Physical activity is linked with a reduced risk of somatic disorders. Interestingly, exercise also affects the inflammatory status in the body.

We study how physical activity affects the molecular processes involved in different brain disorders. Our exercise research ranges from experimental animal studies to epidemiological studies on the Swedish population.

By modeling different brain disorders in mice, we can explore how running exercise affects molecular processes. In the Swedish population, we investigate how a physically active lifestyle affects the risk of developing common brain disorders.

We study how a physically active lifestyle affects the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders, different types of dementia, and psychiatric disorders. By following almost 400 000 Swedes for up to 20 years, we investigate how physical activity in their lifestyle affects their risk of developing the above-mentioned disorders. The study includes both men and women who were followed between 1989 and 2010. Half of our study population are devoted skiers participating in the world’s largest cross-country ski race, Vasaloppet, and have been shown to be substantially more active compared to the general population.

Read more about our exercise-related projects:

• Experimental exercise research
• Epidemiological studies on physically active lifestyles (Vasaloppet studies)

Aims

• To elucidate how genetics, inflammation, gender, and other factors affect the preventive potential of physical activity on the development of brain disorders.

• To explore the molecular effects of exercise in the brain, emphasizing neuroinflammatory effects and how this can affect disease progression. 

• To investigate how exercise settings (e.g., intensity, duration) can be optimized to achieve the most beneficial outcomes for different groups.

Impact

More knowledge in which factors impact the association between a physically active lifestyle and the development of different brain disorders will make it easier to implement physical activity as a preventive strategy. Likewise, understanding the molecular effects of physical exercise could help to optimize settings to achieve better outcomes for different groups of individuals.

How our research contributes to CoPARLU

We will contribute with expertise within the field of neuroinflammation. Our experience in exercise research ranges from experimental exercise interventions to epidemiological population studies.